Things To Know About Metal Roofing
4 Things to Know When Considering a Sturdy Metal Roof for Your Home
Metal roofs bring homeowners a wide range of benefits and advantages over more traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, clay tiles and shake. But just because something is called a “metal roof” doesn’t mean it’s exactly the same as the next metal roof. Let’s look at some of the elements that go into the construction and application of metal roofing materials.
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Different metals
There are several types of metals commonly used for metal roofing. Each has its pros and cons. Steel is the strongest metal roofing material and is thinner than aluminum or copper.
It comes in a variety of grades, each of which will influence the roof’s performance over the years. Minimum recommended grades of steel for metal roofing are G90 and AZ50.
While steel is ultra-strong, if you live in salty coastal areas or areas with acid rain, aluminum and copper are more suitable than steel as neither material is susceptible to red rust and salt decay. Aluminum and copper also are easier to work with and therefore are available in more intricate designs.
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Different metal roof finishes
Even more than the type of metal, the finish applied to the metal will determine how well your roof holds up and how long it lasts. All of the common available finishes work to protect metal roofing and extend its life, but the overall best coating for most applications is PVDF industrial coating. PVDF stands for polymerizing vinylidenedifluoride, which is a specialty plastic that’s widely used when there’s a demand for high purity levels, extreme strength and resistance to heat, solvents and acids. Other popular metal-roof coatings include clear acrylic, polyester and aggregate.
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Design of metal roofing panels
Today’s metal roofing materials come in many designs, some of which resemble “traditional” roofing styles such as slate, wood shake, shingles, barrel tile and more. The most factor in these materials isn’t how they’re shaped but how they’re installed.
Interlocking panels that connect on all four sides offer the greatest resistance to wind and are more secure than panels that simply overlap.
Roofing material with full interlocks costs more to make, but it pays off with decades of top performance.
In addition, concealed (vs. exposed) panel fasteners allow for expansion and contraction of the panels without causing excess wear.
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Fire-resistance
Metal in any application will resist the ravages of fire better than virtually any other roofing material. Metal’s light weight makes for less of a cave-in threat during a house fire.
When fire comes from somewhere other than the home underneath, metal roofs are ideal shields from flying embers and flames as they will not ignite the way other materials will. Fire-rating testing of metal roofs includes non-combustible roof decks and underpayments that are resistant to fire.
The most important move when considering a new metal roof
The specs we’ve discussed here are important, but for the homeowner, the most important information will come directly from an experienced metal roof manufacturer or contractor. Each home is unique, and each homeowner’s roofing needs are likewise unique.
If you’d like to know more about the topics covered in this article, contact the experts, Advanced Aluminum of Lakeland, FL. One of our roofing professionals will be happy to help you make an informed decision as you consider a new metal roof. We build top-line metal roofing products used by leading contractors throughout the Lakeland area. Call us today at (863) 648-5787.